Process of generating high-pressure oil-gas.



R. VUILLEUMIER.

PROCESS OF GENERATING HIGH PRESSURE OIL GAS.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 1, 1909.

Patented Feb. 11, 1913.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

R. VUILLEUMIER. PROCESS OF GENERATING HIGH PRESSURE OIL GAS,

APPLICATION FILED APR. 1, 1909. 1,053,074, Patented Feb. 11, 1913.

TS-SHEET 2.

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IIVVE/VTOR WITNESSES.-

a. s s'rxrns PATN RUDOLPH VUILLEUMIER, OF NEW ROCHELLE, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR anon.

TO PINTSCH COMPRESSING COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

PROCESS OF GENERATING HIGH-PRESSURE OIL-GAS.

Patented Feb. 11, 1913 Application filed April 1, 1909. Serial No. 487,260.

To all whom, it may concern Be it known that I, RUDOLPH VUILLEU- ments in Processes of Generatin HighPres- 4 sure-Oil-Gas, of which the fo lowing is a full; clear, and exact description, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same. I

This invention broadly deals with methods of converting hydro-carbons into fixed gases but more particularly it concerns a process for producing gas of high illuminating power and under high pressure from low grade mineral oils; Since, however, certain advantages characteristic of this invention prominently appear when crude oilis decomposed in the presence of superheated steam under high pressure and under the manipulation of steam otherwise subjected to a predetermined cycle of operations, it will be conducive to clearness to fully disclose this invention by way of such specific embodiment. The nature of this process is such that its full disclosure may be greatly facilitated by describing certain characteristic features of an apparatus adapted to carry out the same, in conjunction with statementsdetailing the manner in which the oil -will course through and undergo essential change in quality in the various parts of the apparatus.

In the drawings like characters of reference denote corresponding parts throughout the several views of which:

Figure 1 is a general diagrammatic representation of the various correlated major elements of my apparatus for decomposing Fig. 2 is a secvarious details of construction and arrangement not illustrated in Fig. 1.

As conducing to a better understanding of the nature of my simple process for efficiently converting crude petroleum or the like vinto gas of high illuminating power, it will be of advantage to briefly outline the same, pre

liminary to a more detailed discussion thereof. inclosed reticulated framework or checker-work of fire-brick is first brought to a high temperature not materially greater than 1200 F., and this stored-up heat is then utilized undercertain peculiar conditions as a means of decomposing the crude oil into gas. This petroleum is injected in the form of a spray into one portion of this intensely heated checker-work and at the same-time superheated steam under high pressure is also admitted. The decomposition which takes place in the presence of an atmosphere of steam almost entirely prevents the deposit of carbon on; the checkerwork. (\Vhat does collect is burnt out during the next heating-up cycle.) This steam, together with; the fixed gas as well as tarry matter and some lamp black resulting from the decomposition of the oil, is then passed through a porous, highly heated mass of some suitable scrubbing material such as coke so as to entirely retain such lampblack as may escape from the generator along with the fixed gas. After this, the fixed gas admixed with steam and some tarry matter is forced through an apparatus wherein it gives up much of its heat to incoming crude oil and then passes through the condenser into a reservoir; the pressure n the generator and partsleading to the reservoir being at about 14 to 15 atmospheres toward the end of the gas making cycle. When the gas mixed with steam, and also containing tarry matter, enters the condenser 37, the latter two ingredients condense; the steam to water, and the tarry matter to a more or less fluid tar which is used as a fuel in the preliminarily heating of the generator. These products then enter the reservoir. In fact, under certain conditions, there may be enough of this tarry by-product to furnish all the fuel that may be necessary for the heating of the generator. It should also be stated that the incoming original oil which is supplied to the generator flows through pipes in intimate contact with the discharge pipes of the resulting gas, and. in consequence, the incoming original oil thus absorbs heat from th outg ing fix gas and this saving of heat works a further economy in the system. The forcing of the original oil into the generator is also accomplished without involved mechanical appliances, such as pumps, by means of steam. That is to say, I employ two tanks, the one containing crude oil and the other containing some gas under pressure mixed with steam. These tanks are connected by a suitable pipe in which is interposed a condenser, the function of which is to prevent steam from pawing over from the pressure-tank to the oilfeed tank and condensing in the latter as water. After the generator has run a short time, say eight minutes, the flow of oilis stopp d and for a while steam is blown through to force the residual gases into the reservoir, after which the admission of further steam is stopped and the residual steam still confined in the generator is permitted to escape; whereupon combustible material is once more injected into the generator and therein burnt so as to again store up in't-he generator suflicient heat to accomplishjthe decomposition of the oil into gas duringthe following gas-making cycle.

The b0iZr;--.;This is indicated by A on the drawings and is utilized as a' source of steam, the particular type of boiler not being an essential part of this invention so long as it efliciently produces steam in sufficient quantities and at a suitable pressure, which in this case will be about 17 atmospheres. In this embodiment the steam from this boiler is employed, first, for the purpose of injecting fluid and air into the generator so as to bring the same to a high temperature as a result of combustion; second, for forcing the crude-petroleum through various parts of the apparatus and into the generator Where it will be volatilized and decomposed into gas; third, to provide a catalytically acting atmosphere Within the generator to promote the desired decomposition of the crude oil; fourth, to serve as a means instrumental in furnishing the pressure needed to force the resultant oil-gas through the various parts of the apparatus into the reservoir, and fifth, as a means for. cleaning out the reservoir of all residual gas remaining at the end ofthe gas-making cycle and of sweeping this residual gas into the reservoir, thereby preparing the generator for the, reception of the combustible matter used to raise up the temperature of such generator preparatory to starting the cycle ofgas making. It will be convenient in following out this description to consider these operations in the above-mentioned sequence.

The ms generat0r.This' is indicated on the drawings by the character B and acts alternatively to store up heat and then to yield up this stored heat in decomposing oil into a fixed gas. It preferably assumes the shape of an upstanding cylinder formed exteriorly of a moderately heavy steel shell 1. This shell is interiorly linedwit-h some suitable non-conducting refractory material 2,

such as fire-brick and asbestos, and is filled more or less'as illustrated in the drawings, with a reticulated mass of framework such as the checkerwork 3 of fire-brick. This oil decomposing checker-work extends from a point near the base of the generator to a point somewhat above the middle of the generator. The upper part of the generator is also provided with a secondary or steamsuperheating checker-work 4 which is preferably spaced somewhat above the first-mentioned oil-decomposing checker-work 3 so as provide a'combustion chamber or fire place 7.- The part of the generator above the steam-superheating checker-work'provides a stack 8 controlled by, a large stack-valve 9, which. permits ofthe escape of the products of combustion resulting from the heating up of the generator preparatory to the subsequent admission of oil and resultant generation of gas; this stack-valve 9 may be tightly closed so that during the gas-making cycle the vaporous contents of the generator may be brought to and maintained at a pressure upward of 14 atmospheres. A valve 10 is also provi'ded for the purpose of admitting the fuel such as tarry-matter intersprayed with air which by burning in the generator raises the temperature thereof. \Vhile. but one generator has been shown, this disclosure will make it obvious that two or more may be connected together in series or parallel, although the shown arrangement is regarded preferable because of-its essential simplicity which constitutes an allimportant factor in the commercial generation of high pressure gas.

Prominent characteristics of generator. It may be here pointed out that gas has heretofore been made by strongly heating oil in heavy iron retorts of small diameter which were externally subjected to a high heat. This, however, involved some very considerable difficulties, inasmuch as under the requisite high heat the iron retorts rapidly deteriorated; and itwas also found that not only the retorts, but other portions of.

the apparatus, would quickly fill with lamp- 3 black and carbon, so that the brief period during which the gas could be made was necessarily followed by a long and laborious period of cleaning out and replacing the retorts and other portions of the apparatus. Again, according to this prior practice, the gas was not generated under the full high pressure of from 14 to 15 atmospheres which is used in car and buoy lighting or otherwise where storage, distribution or use'of highpressure o1l-gas.1s of primary Importance.

an internal lining of fire-proof material,

thereby rendering it feasible to withstand the high pressure of the gas by means of a much lighter and less expensive shell than has heretofore been possible. Moreover, by

following my construction, generators of very much increased capacities over those heretofore utilized are rendered commercially available with a concomitantly pronounced effectiveness. So also, by this method the wear and tear is entirely confined to the lining which is not only made of comparatively inexpensive material, butwhich being of a refractory nature is far more resistant to heat than iron or steel. Furthermore, this lining, being a poor conductor of heat, greatly reduces the waste of heat and hence the operating expenses. Second: By carrying on the combustion in the same chamber and interstices in which the oil was decomposed, with the consequential deposition of more or less lampblack on the walls thereof, such deposited carbon will be burnt out during the combustion, thereby dispensing with the necessity of frequently cleaning out of the generator, and at the same time the surfaces with which the oily-vapors will subsequently contact are the most intensely heated. Third: To eliminate the losses and delays incidental to the external heating of the thick walled retorts heretofore used by reason of the fact that in such ,old devices it was necessary for the heat to be conducted through such thick walls before being available in the interior.

Restoring temperature of generator preparatory, to gas making.-Assuming that this cycle has immediately followed a gas making cycle, the fire-brick checker-work iii the generator will still be at a comparatively high temperature-sutficiently so to ignite the injected fuel, though not capable of very much longer yielding up the heat requislte.

to the proper decomposition of the oil. into a fixed gas. The generator will now be filled with oily vapors, superheated steam and fixed illuminating gases. To firstfget rid' of this, the admission of oil is discontinued and steam is permitted to flow into the generator for a short time, say four minutes, thereby displacing and saving these valuable products by forcing them into the storage reservoir, as will subsequently be more fully described. This still leaves the generator full of steam under pressure of piration, or otherwise.

from 14: to 15 atmospheres, and this steam is then allowed to escape through the stack of the generator by opening valve 9 and closing all other valves save valve 10, which will shortly be opened. The function of this latter valve 10 is to inject fuel and the air for its combustion into the generator, therein to burn. This injected fuel may consist of any suitable material, and may contain tar obtained as a by-product from the reservoir or elsewhere. This fuel may conveniently be injected into the generator by means of a steam obtained from the boiler A, and sufficient air for combustion may at the same time be drawn into the combustion chamber through valve 10 by natural draft or by as-- The products of combustion passupwardly, first through the lower gas making checker-work and then through the upper steamsuperheating checker-work and.raise the same to a very high posing checker-work, the lower portion of which will be very intensely heated and will serve as a final superheating surface for the fixed gases resulting from the decomposition of the oil. The upper portions of the lower or oil-decomposing checker-work 3 will be highly heated, though to a less degree than the lower portion, and will be thus well adapted to serve to vaporize the hot oil incoming from the preheating apparatus. The upper or secondary checker work 4 serves mainly as a final absorber "and regenerator of the heat of the products of com bustion, so that the major portion of the available heat energy resultin from the' combustion of the fuel will be efiectively absorbed by the generator prior to the final discharge of the products of combustion through the stack 8 and the draft valve 9.

Since the steam which is introduced during the period of gas-making enters the generator at its top, such steam first encounters the uppermost or secondary checker-work 4 which forthwith gives up its stored heat to such steam, thereby superheating the latter before it commingles with the sprayed-in oil. Apparatus for introducing crude oil by steam.-By the method of handling the crude oil about to be, described, I am enabled .to entirely do away with complicated moving mechanism such as pumps and the like, and at the same time secure a safer, better and more perfect control and handling of the crude oil. In lieu of such com plicated moving apparatus, I have devised the oil-feeding device comprising tanks C and D shown. in the drawings. 0 is a pressure tank into. which steam is admitted for the purpose of providing the pressure requisite for the forcing of the crude oil through the apparatus into the generator. The steam for this purpose is obtained from the boiler by means of'pipe 13 (see Fig. 1),

temperature, especially'the' oil-decomthis loop-pipe which extends upwardly from the pressure tank C is provided with a condenser E which may assume 'any desired form, as, for instance, that shown on the drawing, in which the uprising leg of the connecting loop is surrounded by a jacketpipe 21 having an inlet at 22 and an outlet at 23 for the flow of cooling water, whereby the steam which may succeed in entering the pipe leg will be condensed forthwith, thus e ectually preventing the steam from pass-,

' ing over through the loop-pipe .20 into the oil-feed tank.

Operation of Steam for feeding 0z'Z.Th oiltank D is first nearly filled with oil through the valve 17 by means of a steam pump or otherwise until the gage glass indicates it to have nearly filled such tank. The adjacent pressure tank C is filled with fixed gas under pressure by means of pipe J communicating with the reservoir G. The

pressure tank therefore contains an initial charge of compressed fixed gas. By virtue of the connecting pipe 20 the pressure will be equal in these two tanks, and the oil in the tank D will therefore be under a medium pressure, which, however, will be insufficientto force the oil into the generator against this working pressure. That is to say, the full working pressure in the generator will be about 15 atmospheres, and in order that the oil may be successfully injected, it must exceed the generator pressure by about one to two atmospheres. This, however, is readily accomplished by admitting high pressure steam into the lower part of the pressure tank G through the valve 14:, which steam will, of course, force some of the gas over into the oil-feed tank D by partly displacing its equivalent volume in pressure tank C and also partly by heating,

and accordingly, expanding the fixed gas.

As ,aresult, after a few seconds after the steamhas been turned on, both the oil feed tank and pressure tank will have reached a pressure very nearly corresponding to that,

of the steam boiler, which pressure will be maintained during the entire period of gasmaking and will suffice to force the oil into the generator against the working pressure thereof. The steam which has been admitted into the pressuie tank C is unable to pass overinto the companion oil-feed tank D,

interposed and will forthwith condense any steam which may rise in the leg 21, and the resulting water will be returned by gravity to the bottom of the pressure tank, from since the cooling jacket or condenser E is i which it may be drawn through pipe 15. i

from time to time.

Apparatus for pre-l zeating oz'Z.This apparatus F is interposed in the pipe 24: which conveys the oil to the generator and enhances the economy of operation of the entiresystem. The apparatus consists of one or more coils 25 of piping through which pass the highly heated products resulting from gas making. These coils are, however, incased within jackets 26, each of which is provided at one end with a suitable expansion joint. The crude oil entering through pipe 24, passes into the jackets26 soas to circumscribe the internal coils 25, and accordingly, extracta large part of the available heat from the same. It should be stated that the incomingoil which passes in series through these jackets, does so in opposite directions to the flow of the outcoming gas, thereby increasing the effectiveness of the heat transference from the gas to the oil. Of course, these jackets may be varied in number and size and may assume divers forms, though that shown is simple and efficient and has the advantage of being very accessible for cleaning out the inner pipe through which the gas outcomes. The oil,

.in emerging from the pre-heater, flows through pipe 27 into the generator at a point 28 and enters the oil spraying. chamber 5 in the form of a fine spray, this being done by means of oil spraying nozzles, which are of well known designs such as that shown. An oil inlet valve 29 is interposed in the pipe-27 so as to control the admission of oil during the period of gas making, and so as to enable the flow of oil to'be stopped entirely during the sweeping-out, blowing-off and heating-up cycles.

Gas making from preheated oil in the pie-heated generat01'. In the foregoing, the 1 method of bringing the generator and its contained refractory checker-Work to a high temperature has been set forth. This having been done and sufiicient heat having been stored up in such generator, the cycle of decomposing the oil into fixed gas (which ordinarily lasts for about eight minutes) may now take place. Stack-valve 9 and fuel-injecting valve 10 will be closed, and' now valve 14, admittingsteam to thepressure tank to feed the crude oil, will be opened, aswill also valve 30, which admitssteam into the stack of the generator. The

effect of this is to immediately bring the pressure of the oil in the oil-feed tank D to very nearly the normal boiler pressure, and steam will also begin to flow into the intensely heated generator to gradually fill the same with steam and displace. any residual air, so that the pressure will slowly rise in such generator. The incoming steam first infiltrates through the secondary or superheating checker-work 4, and as this is now at a very-high temperature (through not so hot as the lower checker-work 3),

the steam will be immediately superheated and further along will acquire still more heat. When the pressure in the generator has risen to about 8 atmospheres (the generator being full of superheatedsteam), the oil valve 29 will be opened and the oil will be forced by'the pressure of the oil-feed tank D through the pipe 24 into and through the preheater F, thence through the pipe 27 in its pre-heated form into the spraying chamber of the generator in the form of a fine spray in consequence of the oil spraying nozzles, which are shown at or about the point 28. As soon as the oil-admission valve 29 is opened, the main-valve 31, which is interposed in the outlet pipe 25, and which leads into the storing tank or receiver G, is opened. Adjacent the main valve 31 thereis also a check-valve 32 which will open just as soon as the pressure in the generator reaches that of the storeholder.

The admission of the incoming steam to the generator is-controlled by some suitable means,as, for example, an orifice of fixed predetermined diameter, so as to keep the flow of steam afixed quantity. .The flow of the oil may also'be known by an observation of the sliding scale 18 attached to the feed glass 19 on the oil feed tank, and the flow of SLlChyOi]. may thus be readily regulated according to the circumstances.

The oil enters the generator, being injected in the form of a fine spray into the spraying chamber 5, wherein. it intimately com-mingles with the superheated steam which already fills the generator. The mixture of oil vapor and superheated steam flows downwardly from the oil spraying chamber 5 and infiltrates through the still more intensely heated primary checkerwork 3, whereupon the oil spray is first converted into a vapor and then becomes intensely superheated and ultimately entirely brought into the condition of a fixed gas. The steamfilling the generator and intermingling with the vaporized oil does not appear to re-act with the carbonaceous material freed from such oil by decomposing into a low candle-power gas as might be surmised, but under proper working conditions, its action appears to be more of a catalytic nature andappears to exert some sort of a protective influence upon the oil vapor, enabling the latter to transform into a gas of very good illuminating power without producing the abundant deposition of carbon in the form of lamp-black or otherwise which invariably occurred according to prior methods. It is to be' understood, however, that some carbonaceous material, either in the form of lamp-black or otherwise, will be left behind on thecheckerwork and burnt out during the next heating-up, although observations tend to indicate that all the steam originally admitted will subsequently reappear as condensed water, from which it is believed that the steam acts as a catalyst.

It will be noted that this system works a great economy over externally-heated retorts, since the most intensely heated surfaces of the confined checker-work are those which directly contact with the oil vapors to be decomposed into a fixed gas. It is also to be observed that, inasmuch as the pres sures throughout the system are positively limited by and are directly dependent upon the boiler-pressure,- the system is safeguarded against accidental and neglectful operain ow of oil into the generator directly dependent upon the boiler-pressure, the

process becomes quite independent of mechanically-acting high pressure pumps with a concomitantimprovement in the uniformity and reliabilityof the oil flow in addition to a marked simplification from the standpoint of the operator.

The high temperature 807'ttbb67.-Thl.$ is indicated by-H and consists of a cylindrical shell 34; of steel or other suitable material having cleaning-out caps 36 and filled with a porous refractory scrubbing material 35 suitable for high temperatures, such as coke and the like. This scrubber is maintained at a.high temperature by the outgoing gas. It is connected with the generator by means of-a pipe such as that indicated by 33, so that the oil gas plus the tarry matter and the superheated stear'n will enter one end of the scrubber and infiltrate through the highly heated porous contents thereof and ultimately pass out through pipe 25 connected with the other end of such scrubber. The function of this scrubber, which is at a high temperature, is to absorb or other wise eliminate the lamp-black. and carbon from the vaporized products of the generator, thereby preventing a precipitation of carbon and 1amp-black in the succeeding the oil heating jackets F wherein much of the heat of such decomposition products is absorbed by the crude oil flowing in a contrary direction toward the generator. After leaving such coils 25, the gas, together with some tarry matter and superheated steam, will pass through the condenser 37, wherein the tarry matter and steam will be con- I densed, and then through check-valve 32 sure tank C. The incoming steam valve in the stack of the generator will not, however, be turned off until steam has been permitted to flow into the generator for about four minutes. This steam serves to displace the oil-gas which may fill the gen erator and pushes such oil-gas from the generator into the scrubber, through the heating jackets and ultimately into the storeholder or reservoir G. After this has been done and the generator has been substantially freed from any oil-gas, all valves are closed and the steam'remaining in the generator will be exhausted through the stackvalve 9, or it may be exhausted through a suitable feed-water heater to preheat the water for the boiler as a matter of economy if desired. This exhaustion of the steam from the generator will, of course, reduce the pressure in such generator toabout atmospheric pressure and the generator will be ready for another heating up, which will last for about ten minutes, whereupon the cycle above described will be repeated.

From the foregoing disclosure, it will be perceived that I have devised a very efficient and serviceable process and apparatus for converting crude etroleum or any of its ingredientsor distlllates or equivalents (or any other hydro-carbon suitable for gas making accordin to this process), into a fixed gas of goo illuminating power and under a pressureof about 14 or 15 atmospheres, or higher if desired. Attention may also be directed to the fact that by heating up the generator in a direction opposite to that in which the hydrocarbonaceous material travels through the same, several noteworthy advantages are obtained: thus the necessit of having in connection with the generating chamber a separate superheating chamber is obviated; an economy in heatingup the generator is secured; and the oil is introduced into a part of the generator erence to prior practices which ma otherwlse superficially appear slmllar/to certam I and throughout the following claims, a'pres -y sure is denoted which is abnormal with ,ref-

aspects of this process. That 1s to say, in such mstancesthe use ofa pressure more or less closely approgzimating fourteen atmospheres is regarded as a distinguishing feature in view of the radical changes'in capacities and reactions of the processes.

As many changes could be made in the above construction and many apparently widely different embodiments of this invention could be made without depart-ing from the scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shallbe interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. It is also to be understood that the language used in the following claims is intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described and all statements of the scope of the invention, which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.

' Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A process of the nature disclosed consisting in bringing the confined surfaces of a substantially closedcompartment to a predetermined intense heat not materially exceeding 1200 F., following this cycle of heating with the admission of steam to fill sidual products of decomposition preparatory to restoring the heat in said compartment.

2. A process of the nature disclosed'consisting in maintaining a combustion within asubstantially closed compartment, interrupting the combustion when the confined surfaces of said compartment have been brought to a predetermined intense heat not materially greater than 12009 F., then directly utilizing steam under heavy pressure of about fourteen atmospheres for introducing finely-divided hydrocarbonaceous mateadmission of such material when the heat stored in said compartment has diminished to apredetermined extent, and then introduemg a quantity of steam under heavy pressure to force the residual products of decomposition through a high-temperature scrubber into a reservoir under pressure.

3. A process of the nature disclosed consisting in maintaining a combustion within a substantially closed compartment, interrupting the combustion when. the confined surfaces of said compartment 'have been brought to a predetermined intense heat not materially greater than 1200 F., then directly utilizing steam under heavy pressure of about fourteen atmospheres for introducing finely-divided hydrocarbonaceous material into said compartment, stopping the admission of such material when the heat stored in said compartment has diminished to a predetermined extent, then introducing a quantity of steam under heavy pressure to force the residual products of decomposition through a high-temperature scrubber, and then permitting the said steam to escape preparatory to admitting combustible materiall 4. A process of the nature disclosed consisting in maintaining a combustion within a substantially closed compartment, interrupting the combustion when the confined surfaces of said compartment have been brought to a predetermined intense heat not materially greater than 1200 F., then directly utilizing steam under heavy pressure" of about fourteen atmospheres for introducing finely-divided hydrocarbonaceous material into said compartment, stopping the admission of such material when the heat stored in said compartment has diminished to a predetermined extent, and then removing the residual products of decomposition through a high-temperature scrubber preparatory to an admission of fresh supplies of combustible material.

5. A process of the nature disclosed consisting in bringing the confined surfaces of a substantially closed compartment to a predetermined intense heat, them directly utilizing steam-under heavy pressure for int-roducing finelydivided hydrocarbonaceous materi'al into said compartment to protect said material and enable it to be converted intohighcandle power gas, stopping the admission of such material when the heat stored in said compartment has diminished to a predetermined extent, and then introducing a quantity of steam under heavy pressure to force the residual products of decomposition through a high-temperature scrubber into a reservoir under pressure.

6, A process of the nature disclosed consisting in bring ng the confined surfaces of a substantially closed compartment to a predeterminedjntense heat, "then "directly utilizing steamnnder heavy pressure for introducing finelydivided hydrocarbonaceous material into said compartment to increase the illuminating value of the products of decomposition, stopping the admission of such material when the heat; stored in said compartment has diminished to a predetermined extent, then introducing a quantity of steam under heavy pressure to force the residual products of decomposition through a heat-conserving apparatus, and then'.per-- mittingthesaid steam to escape preparatory to restoring the heat in said compartment. 7. A process of the nature disclosed consisting in bringing the confined surfaces of a substantially closed compartment to a predetermined intense heat not materially greater than 1200 degrees Fahrenheit, then directly utilizing steam under heavy pres- -si1re for introducing finely-divided hydrocarbonaceous material into said compartment, whereby a gas of high candle power is produced,'stopp1ng the admission of such material when the heat stored in said compartment has diminished to a predetermined extent, and then removing the residual products of decomposition through a heat-conserving apparatus preparatory to restoring the heat-in said com artment.

8. A rocess of the nature isclosed consisting in maintaining a combustion within a substantially closed compartment, interrupting the combustion when the confined surfaces of, said compartment have been brought to a predetermined intense heat not materiallygreatcr than 1200 F., I

and then introducing steam under heavy ressure of about fourteen atmospheres and nely-divided hydrocarbonaceous material into said intensely heated compartment. 1 I 9. A rocess of the nature disclosed consisting in maintaining a combustion within a substantially closed compartment, interrupting the combustion when the confined surfaces of said compartment have been brought to a predetermined heat not 7 materially greater than 1200 -F., then simultaneously introducing steam under heavy pressure of about fourteen atmospheres and finely-divided hydrocarbonaceous material into said intensely heated compartment, and then introducing a quantity of steam under heavy pressure to force the residual products of decomposition through a heat-conserving apparatus into a reservoir under pressure.

10. A process of the nature disclosed consisting in maintaining a combustion Within a substantially closed com artment, interrupting the combustion w en the confined surfaoes of said compartment have been brought to a predetermined intense heat not materially greater than 1200" F., then simultaneously mtroducing steam under heavy pressure and finely-divided hydrocarbonaceous material into said intensely heated compartment, then introducing a iguantity of steam under heavy pressure to bus'tible material.

11. A process of the nature disclosed consisting in maintaining a combustion within a substantially closed compartment, in-.

terrupting the combustion when the conbeen brought. to a predetermined' intense heat not materially then simultaneously introducing steam under heavy pressure of about fourteen atmospheres and finely-divided hydrocarbona ceous material into said intensely heated compartment, and then removing the resid ual. products of decomposition through a heat-conserving ap aratus preparatory to an admission of bustible material. 1.. 1 12. 'A process of the nature disclosed consisting in bringing the confined surfaces of a substantially closed compartment to a predetermined intense heat not materially exceeding 1200" F., and then simultaneously introducing steam under heavy pressure of approximately fourteen. atmospheres and finely-divided hydrocarbonaceous material into said intensely heated compartment.

13. A process of the nature disclosed con sisting in bringing the confined surfaces of a substantially closed compartment to a predetermined intense heat, then simultaneously introducin steam under heavy pressure and finely-divi ed hydrocarbonaceous material into said intensely heated compartment, and then introducing a quantity of steam under heavy pressure to force the residual ,products of decomposition through a heat-conserving apparatus into a reservoir under pressure. v

' 14. A process of the natureY'disclosed consisting in bringing the confined surfaces of a substantially closed compartment to a predetermined lntense heat not materially greater'than 1200 degrees-Fahrenheit, then simultaneously introducing steam under heavy pressure and finely-divided hydrocarbonaceous material into said intensely heated compartment, whereby a gas of high candle power is produced, and then removing the residual products of decomposition through a heat-conserving apparatus preparatory torestoring theheat in said compartment. q p

15. A processof the nature disclosed congreater than 1200 F.,'

resh supplies of comping the admission of such material when.

the heat stored in said com artment has 7 diminished to 'a predetermine extent. fined surfaces of said compartment have 16. A process of the nature disclosed con- .sistingin maintaining a combustion within the admission of steam under heavypressure of about fourteen atmospheres to fill said compartment, then directly utilizing steam for introducing finely-divided hydrocarbonaceous material into said compart-v ment, stopping the admission of such mate rial when thefheat stored in said-compare ment has diminished to a predetermined extent, and then introducing 'a quantity of steam. under heavy pressure to force the residual products of decomposition through a scrubbing and a heat-conserving apparatus and then into a reservoir under pressure.

17. A process of the nature disclosed consisting in maintaining a combustion within a substantially closed compartment, inter rupting the combustion when the confined surfaces of said compartment have been brought to a predetermined intense heat not materially greater than l200, F., following the interruption of combustion with the admission of steam under heavy pressure of about fourteen atmospheres to fill said compartment, then directly utilizing steam for mtroducing finelydivided hydrocarbona ceous material into said compartment, stopping the admission of such material when the heat stored in said compartment has dimiriished to a predetermined extent, and

then removing'the residual products of decomposition through a scrubbin and a heatconserving apparatus preparat ry to an admission of fresh supplies of' combustible material.

, 18. A process of the nature disclosed 0011- I 11 said compartment, then directly utilizing steam for introducing finely-divided hydrocarbonaceous material into said compartment, whereby a gas of high candle power is produced, stopping the admission of such material when the heat stored in said compartment has diminished to a predetermined extent, and then removing the residual prod- .ucts of decomposition through a high-temperature scrubber and a heat-conserving apparatus preparatory to restoring the heat in said compartment. I

20. A processof the nature disclosed consisting in maintaining a combustion within a substantially closed compartment, interrupting the combustion when the confined surfaces of said compartment have been brought to a predetermined intense heat not materially greater than 1200 F., following the interruption of combustion with the admission of steam under heavy pressure of about fourteen atmospheres to fill said compartment,- and then simultaneously introducing steam under heavy pressure and finely-divided hydrocarbonaceous *material into said intensely heated compartment.

21. A process of the nature disclosed consisting in maintaining a combustion within a substantially closed compartment, interrupting the combustion when the confined surfaces of said compartment have been brought to a predetermined heat not materially greater than 1200 F, following the interruption of combustion with the admission of steam under heavy pressure to fill said compartment, then simultaneously introducing steam under heavy pressure and finely-divided hydrocarbonaceous material into said intensely heated compartment, and

then introducing a quantity of steam under heavy pressure to force the residual products of decomposition through a high-temperature scrubber and a heat-conserving apparatus.

22. A process of the nature disclosed consisting in maintaining a combustion within a substantially closed compartment, interrupting the combustion when the confined surfaces of said compartment, have been brought to a predetermined intense heat not materially greater than 1200 F., following the interruption of combustion with; the ad.-

mission of steam under heavy ressure of about fourteen atmospheres and finely-divided hydrocarbonaceous material into said intensely heated compartment, then introducing a quantity of steam under heavy pressure to. force the residual products of decomposition through a scrubber and a heat-conserving apparatus, and then permitr tingthe said steam to escape preparatory to admitting combustible material.

23. A processof the nature disclosed consisting in maintaining a combustion within 'a substantially closed compartment, interrupting the combustion when the confined surfaces of said compartment have been brought to apredetermined intense heat not materially greater than 1200 F., following the interruption of combustion with the admission of steam under heavy pressure of' about fourteen atmospheres to fill said compartment, then simultaneously introducing steam under heavy pressure and finely-divided hydrocarbonaceous material into said intensely heated compartment, and thenremoving the residual products of decomp'osi-' tion through a scrubber and a heat-"conserving apparatus preparatory to an admission of fresh supplies of combustible material. I

24. A process of the nature disclosed coni sisting in bringing the confined surfaces of a substantially closed compartment to a'predetermined intense heat, following this cycle of heating with the admission of steam under heavy pressure to fill said compartment, and then simultaneously introducing steam under heavy pressure and finely-divided hydrocarbonaceous material intosaid intensely heated compartment.

25. A process of the nature disclosed consisting in bringing the confined surfaces of a substantially closed compartment to a predetermined intense heat, following this cycle of heating with the admission of steam under heavy pressure to fill said compartment, then I simultaneously introducing steam under heavy pressure and finely-divided hydrocarbonaceous material into said intensely heated compartment, and then introducing a quantity of steam under heavy pressure to force the residual products of decomposition through a scrubber and a heat-conserving apparatus.

26. A process of the nature disclosed, comprising heating hydrocarbonaceous.material to approximately 1200 degrees Fahrenheit under approximately 14 atmospheres pressure in the presence of an a ent adapted to substantially prevent the ormation of a resultant gas of low luminosity from said hydrocarbonaceous material, whereby a gas of high candle power is produced.

27. A process of the nature disclosed, comprising heating hydrocarbonaceous material in the presence of steam to a temperature whereby a gas of high candle power is pro- 10 of approximately 1200 degrees Fahrenheit duced.

under approximately fourteen atmospheres In testimony whereof I aflix my signature, pressure, whereby a gas of high candle in the presence of two witnesses.

5 power is produce 28. A process of the nature discl0sed,com- RUDOLPH VUILLEUMIER' prising heating hydro-carbonaceous ma- Witnesses: terial in the presence of steam under ap- ELMER E. ALLBEE,

proximately fourteen atmospheres pressure, JOHN T. CLARK. 

